Winter Tips/Tricks
- Thread starter Fenrir
- Start date
So winter is coming up (For all us non-California/Florida people, anyway. Jerks with your sunny weather. *shakes fist*). Anyone have any thoughts on how to keep your MS3 in decent condition? I know I'm not the only one who uses it as a daily driver, and don't have a choice but to drive in the snow and salt (cry, salt). What's the best way to keep rust off and myself out of the ditch?
At least the MS3 should be easier in the snow than my 300whp RWD 240SX with no ABS or TCS/DSC
So whatcha got? Let's hear it!
u left out texas ^^
MikeHTally
Member
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- 2008.5 Speed3, 2006 Chrysler 300C, 2003 Ram 1500
52 here in Tally. 49 yesterday morning. To stick to the subject, though, is it feasible to hose the car off? I know I wouldn't want to wield a hose in freezing weather, but what can you do? I don't even like to wash my rides in cold weather.What you mean sunny weather ! Here in florida it was 64 degrees this morning. I almost went back inside to get a long sleeve. lol now its hot as hell again
sandythesheriff
Member
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- Red '03 P5 Ijen CAI,AEM Dryflow,Mazdaspeed axelback,tint,header,
Boo Hoo a bit of snow and cool temps, come visit northern Canada in January/February... cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey. Plug the block heater in and the P5 starts at -40. Want a tip.. slow down,keep you foot off the brake, get good winter tires, steel wheels and learn to steer. The P5 impressed the hell out of me last year...started every day and warmed up really nice.
oaklandopen
Member
this is where it would help if you had a black mica....it will still be warm inside on a sunny day
but i guess on the opposite end of that the road salt would inevitably show up easier than on any other color. speaking of which, find the car washes that spray under the car, this will assist in getting a good deal of the road salts off undercar parts and help discourage rust formations
but i guess on the opposite end of that the road salt would inevitably show up easier than on any other color. speaking of which, find the car washes that spray under the car, this will assist in getting a good deal of the road salts off undercar parts and help discourage rust formations
Silver Ecstasy
Member
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- 11 MS3 Sport
Do-it-yourself car wash, bring a wash brush on a stick and a bucket of soap!
Ha, I got these too! Worked great last year with one of the worst winters for snowfall on record. I only got stuck once.....backing out of my parking space after over 12 inches fell. Car handled like a teflon coated sled with the Craptenzas, but worked fair to good with the all-seasons. Just have to be bit more careful, also stay off the boost as mentioned. Down-shift at stops combined with braking. DO NOT turn off/override your DSC/traction control!
Get it washed anywhere with an underbody flush available, as long as they do not use the old nylon brushes. Cloth ones are fairly safe. Touchless never gets that coat of stuck on dirt off, just the surface stuff. Touchless is great to get heavy salt/dirt off though if in a hurry, but you need some kind of friction to get the rest off occasionally (once a month or so).
Silver Ecstasy
Member
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- 11 MS3 Sport
So in the deep stuff, the all-seasons didn't do terrible? That's encouraging!
Yeah, was not bad at all. I literally drove through 6-8 inch deep snow on the roads a few times it was coming down so heavy. Had to do a few 2nd gear starts and clutch feathering, but I was seriously impressed.
MikeHTally
Member
- :
- 2008.5 Speed3, 2006 Chrysler 300C, 2003 Ram 1500
Man, I can't stand it here in February, and we don't get much below the mid-teens. I do like the way this aluminum engine warms up and produces heat quickly!
Unfortunately the better flaps all have the rally name on them. I don't advertise for anybody without pay.
Silver Ecstasy
Member
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- 11 MS3 Sport
Oh, I forgot to add the tip that was in the owner's manual! Don't forget to block off the air directed towards your battery box! Cold air on the battery isn't good in the winter.
I would buy those steel wheels now!!!! I missed out last year and couldn't get them this year either. I saw them online for a few weeks, then all of the sudden they were gone. I called to see if they had any left or if they were ordering more and the guy said they didn't carry a steel wheel for the MS3. I told him it was online up until yesterday and that I knew people who bought them from Tirerack and he said their computer had none listed. I called back the next two days and talked to different people, but they all said they never carried the steel wheels. This was about a month ago and I have since bought some alloys, but I wish I didn't. Long story short, those people there don't seem to have any idea what they carry and these wheels seem to sell out pretty quick. By this time last year they were sold out and told me they only make one order before winter. Its an unbeatable price so I would jump on it.
RUMBLEFISH
Member
skubidoobie
Member
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- Mazdaspeed3
I ordered 16" steelies through Town Fair Tire with Hankook ipikes, they actually ordered the wheels from Tire Rack lol. They price matched everything and gave me the Hankooks for the price of Firestone Winterforce which were only $67 each. Then I ordered Rally Armor URs, and Weather Tech Digital Fit floor mats. I'm ready for snow now!
